University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023

Bachelor of Nursing Sciences [BNurs] (10131002)

Department Nursing Science
Minimum duration of
4 years
study
Total credits 538
NQF level 08

Programme information
i. The Bachelor of Nursing Science [BNur] degree is a four-year, professional, career-oriented whole qualification
that allows graduates to register with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as:

● Professional Nurse; and

● Midwife/Accoucheur
ii. Successful completion of the degree programme will present graduates with the opportunity to further their
studies in Nursing Science at postgraduate level.
iii. Candidates who comply with the necessary admission requirements will follow the prescribed curriculum.

a. The compulsory practical and clinical hours of training over a four-year period will be determined by the
competency-based framework and related regulations and circulars of the South African Nursing Council.
b. Due to the compulsory practical and clinical training component as well as professional development, the
curriculum cannot be completed in less than four years.
c. The training institutions in question will grant vacation and sick leave according to the applicable
requirements of the South African Nursing Council (SANC).

Note: Also consult General Academic Regulations G1-G15.

Conferment of the degree
The Bachelor of Nursing Science [BNurs] is conferred on students who have fulfilled all the programme
requirements as well as the prescribed practical and clinical training successfully.

Admission requirements
Important information for all prospective students for 2023
The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with
a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. ?

University of Pretoria website click here

Minimum requirements
Achievement level

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 21:05:53 19/04/2024 | Page 1 of 11

 English Home
Language or
English First Mathematics Life Sciences
APS
Additional
Language
NSC/IEB NSC/IEB NSC/IEB
4 4 4 28
For advice on a second-choice programme, please consult a Student Advisor. To make an appointment, send an
email to [email protected].

Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the
Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2023: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available
at click here.
International Students: Click here

Important faculty-specific information on undergraduate programmes for 2023

The closing date for all selection programmes is 30 June 2022. Applicants are strongly advised and
encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible after 1 April 2022 and to check the application site
(UP Student Portal) regularly.
● The following persons will be considered for admission: a candidate who is in possession of a certificate that is
deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university
endorsement; a candidate who is a graduate from another tertiary institution or has been granted the status of
a graduate of such an institution; a candidate who is a graduate of another Faculty at the University of Pretoria;
and a candidate who is currently studying at a university.
● Admission to Health Sciences programmes is subject to a selection process.
● Grade 11 final examination results will be used for the conditional selection of prospective students.
● For selection purposes, the sum of the results in six subjects, including English, Mathematics and Lifel Sciences,
is calculated.
● Life Orientation is excluded in the calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).
● All modules will be presented in English, as English is the language of tuition, communication and
correspondence.
● Places are reserved in specific categories to ensure an equitable representation of demographically defined
designated groups. Selection thus takes place in different categories.
● For purposes of selection in the Faculty of Health Sciences, the “Designated Group” category includes South
African Black African or South African Coloured African candidates. The “Open” category refers to all applicants
including applicants from the Designated Group who compete first in the Open category and then in the
Designated Group category if unsuccessful in the Open category.
● Target numbers are specified for all categories as applicable to each programme. Where insufficient
applications are received from qualifying applicants in a certain category, the selection committee may decide
not to fill all places or to fill the places from qualifying applicants in another category.
● A limited number of places are made available to citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants
who are not South African citizens), with those from SADC countries being given preference. Permanent
residents of RSA are not categorised as foreign students. Applications from citizens from countries other than
South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens) may also be considered if they are
❍ citizens or permanent residents of countries which have relevant government to government agreements

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 21:05:53 19/04/2024 | Page 2 of 11

 with South Africa
❍ asylum seekers or refugees
● Citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens) who do not
comply with the conditions above may be considered if space is available.
● If an applicant has multiple citizenships, which includes South African citizenship, he/she will be considered as a
South African applicant.
● The final number of places allocated to new applicants will be determined on an annual basis taking into
account the teaching facilities and resources available and, where necessary, the number of places allocated to
students repeating modules in the first year of study of each degree programme.
● Only applicants who comply with the requirements set out in this document will be considered for selection.
However, the achievement of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as only a limited
number of students can be accommodated.
● Selection is based on merit. The faculty does not determine specific selection cut-off values for the different
categories. Such values are generated by the competing students within a particular category in relation to the
number of places available.
● A Merit Point Score (MPS) is used for ranking applicants for selection purposes in all programmes. In certain
programmes other criteria such as rural residence may be used as part of the selection process.
● Only first-choice applicants will be considered, except where otherwise specified, in which case second-choice
candidates may be considered if there are places available.
● The top candidates will be selected provisionally up to or surpassing the allocated number, based on
experience of the expected number of acceptances. A waiting list is created from the group of candidates with
the next highest scores. The length of the waiting list is determined by experience of the number of places
likely to become available and to prevent creating unrealistic expectations.
● All offers are provisional until the final exam results have been received. For applicants in the School leaver
categories a provisional place will be confirmed as long as the NSC or equivalent scores do not fall by more
than two points from the Grade 11 APS score.
● After the final NSC or equivalent qualification results are received, provisional offers will be confirmed if the
applicant still meets the required criteria. The MPS of those on the waiting list will be recalculated using the
NSC or equivalent qualification results and if places become available they will be made offers.
● Places becoming available in any category after selection due to cancellation or forfeiture will be filled from the
waiting list for the specific category.
● This waiting list will remain active until the end of the second week after the start of lectures.
● All successful candidates are admitted to the first year of study only. Registered students in the University
Experienced categories may apply for credit for equivalent modules which they have completed.
● Incomplete applications will not be considered and any false information provided by an applicant in his/her
application may result in immediate cancellation of the application, admission or registration.
● Candidates should note that their conditional admission will be revoked if their APS drops by more
than two points in their final school examination results.
● PLEASE NOTE that compliance with the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to any
programme in this Faculty.
● Selection queries may be directed to click here.
● A student who is made an offer but does not accept it cannot defer the offer and must reapply to be considered
in the following year.

Transferring students
A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP)is/was a

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 21:05:53 19/04/2024 | Page 3 of 11

registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on
NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from
other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.
Closing dates: Same as above

Returning students
A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered
student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for
admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.
● Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be
considered for admission to another programme at UP, as per faculty-specific requirements.
● Only ONE transfer between UP faculties and TWO transfers within a faculty will be allowed.
● Admission of returning students will always depend on the faculty concerned and the availability of space in the
programmes for which they apply.
Closing date for applications from returning students is the same as the above

Other programme-specific information

1. Students who have to repeat specific modules, must also acquire a certificate of satisfactory attendance and
progress in Nursing Practice Education (both modules of the year in question) in the year of repetition, even if
the modules in question have already been passed in the unsuccessful year.
2. Examinations are compulsory in respect of all the modules presented by the Department of Nursing Science,
as it is not possible to be promoted in any of these modules.

Examinations and pass requirements

● In accordance with the stipulations of the General Academic Regulations a year, semester or quarter mark of at
least 40% is required for admission to the examination in all undergraduate modules in the University where
year, semester and quarter marks apply.
● The final mark for a specific module in Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Occupational Therapy and
Human Nutrition (at least 50% is required to pass) is calculated from the examination mark as well as the mark
compiled from the evaluation of a student during continuous, objective and controlled assessment
opportunities during the course of the quarter/semester/year. At least one formal assessment per module is set
as the minimum norm, and students will be exposed on a continuous and regular basis to self-directed
assignments in order to promote reflective learning.
● In the case of modules with practical components, students are required to also comply with the applicable
attendance requirements with regard to acquiring practical skills before a pass mark can be obtained for the
module.
● There are two main examination periods per annum. In respect of first-semester modules, the standard
examination is in May/June and the supplementary examination is in July. In respect of second-semester
modules, the standard examination is in October/ November and the supplementary examination is in
November/December of the same year. Where students need to work additional clinical hours to be allowed to
do a supplementary examination, the relevant head of department will determine the date of the
supplementary examination.

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 21:05:53 19/04/2024 | Page 4 of 11

● Only two examination opportunities per module are allowed. If a student fails the supplementary examination,
the module must be repeated.
● A supplementary examination in a module is granted to students in the following cases:
● If a student obtains a final mark of between 40%-49% in the relevant module at the standard examination and
thus fails.
● If a student obtains a final mark of at least 50% but the required subminimum in the examination, as required
for a specific module, has not been obtained.
● Students intending to sit the supplementary examination due to the reasons mentioned above, must register
for the supplementary examination 24 hours after the results have been made public.
● If a student fails a module at the standard examination, the examination mark obtained in the relevant module
at the supplementary examination will be calculated as the final mark. The marks obtained with continuous
evaluation during the course of the quarter/semester/year will not be taken into calculation. If the student
passes the module at the supplementary examination opportunity, a maximum of 50% is awarded as a pass
mark to the module in question.
● A student who is prevented from writing the standard examination due to illness or other qualifying
circumstances, may be granted permission by the dean to write a special examination in the particular
module(s).
● If a student is granted permission from the Dean to write a special examination, the continuous evaluation
mark, together with the examination mark obtained in the module in question at the supplementary
examination opportunity, will be calculated as the final mark obtained in the module.
● In instances where students are unable to write the examination and supplementary examination as a
consequence of a serious medical condition or an accident, such a student must apply for a special
dispensation, with the support of the dean, to the Registrar, who will make a final decision.
● The School of Healthcare Sciences applies the General Academic Regulations, according to which a student
requiring a limited number of modules (no more than the equivalent of four semester modules) to complete his
or her degree, may in terms of faculty regulations, be admitted to a Chancellor's examination in the modules in
question.
Exemption from the examination in (ANP) Anatomical Pathology 210
Exemption from the examination may be granted if a student who obtained a module mark of at least 65%,
exercises the option to accept it as the final mark.
Exemption from the examination in (FAR) Pharmacology 381, 382
Exemption from the examination can be granted if a student who obtained a module mark of at least 65%,
exercises the option to accept it as the final mark.
Passing modules in Anatomy and Physiology
i. A module mark is calculated from the continuous evaluation opportunities during the course of the
presentation of the relevant module. These evaluations will include one or more of the following:

a. Evaluations in connection with theoretical knowledge.

b. Evaluations in connection with practical knowledge and skills.
c. Compulsory attendance at and active participation in prescribed activities.
d. A final comprehensive module test.

ii. Students may exercise the option that the module mark at the end of the semester be ratified as the final
module mark for the relevant module (i.e. they are exempted from the module examination for this module), if
they comply with the following requirements:

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 21:05:53 19/04/2024 | Page 5 of 11

 a. The abovementioned module mark is more than 65%.
b. Proven attendance of all applicable module-specific activities, namely:

● All tests/continuous evaluations.

● All practical work and skills development sessions.
c. Attendance of the relevant module from Day 1.
d. No convictions by the School’s Preliminary Disciplinary Committee (Student Transgressions) of any form of
transgression.

iii. A module examination is granted to all registered students (even if the module mark is more than 65%).
iv. The final module mark is calculated from the examination mark and the module mark (continuous
evaluation) in the ratio 50:50.
v. A second module examination is granted to all students who have obtained a final module mark of 40% to
49%. Students who have obtained a module mark of less than 40%, fail the module and will have to repeat
the year of study.
vi. The relevant second examination will take place in November/December of the current year or in January
of the subsequent year. A minimum of 50% is required to pass in the second examination.
vii. Aegrotats or extraordinary examinations, for students who could not sit the module examination due to
health or other acceptable reasons, will take place during the second examination period. Students must
apply formally for these examinations, and will be admitted by the Chairperson of the School or his/her
authorised person. Where applicable, the Chairperson of the School may first require the recommendation of
the Faculty Health Committee before admission to an aegrotat.

All modalities of a final examination must be written jointly as a special examination, even if part of the relevant
examination had already been written during the previous examination period.
The final module mark is calculated from the marks of all the sections/ modalities of the special examination
and the continuous evaluation mark. The same criteria as set for a pass mark in a module are applicable here.
Students who could not sit the module examination in the examination period due to acceptable reasons, and
who are consequently writing the module examination in the supplementary examination period, forfeit the
opportunity to be admitted to a further examination.
Academic exclusion from further study
In accordance with the stipulations of the General Academic Regulations, a student must complete the degree
programme for which he or she is registered within the prescribed minimum period of study plus one year.

Promotion to next study year

A student must pass in all the prescribed core modules of a specific year of study to be promoted to a
subsequent year of study. A student can only be promoted to a subsequent year of study if the student has not
failed more than two fundamental modules of seven weeks each per semester or one module of 14 weeks per
semester. A non-negotiable prerequisite for admission to the final year of study is pass marks in all the core and
fundamental modules of the preceding years of study. Refer to the programmes for fundamental modules in each
discipline.
A pass mark refers to a final mark of at least 50%.
Modules with practical and clinical training credits cannot be passed unless all the prescribed clinical hours and
practical activities have been completed to the satisfaction of the relevant head of department.
The Chairperson of the examination moderating meeting may, after assessing the student’s total profile, grant

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 21:05:53 19/04/2024 | Page 6 of 11

special approval to be promoted to the next year of study.
Modules can only be taken in advance or repeated if it can be accommodated in the existing examination
timetable.
A student who must repeat a year of study may, with the approval of the Chairperson of the examination
moderating meeting and the relevant head of department, be allowed to take fundamental modules of the
subsequent year, if he/she complies with all the prerequisites for the relevant modules. No adjustment to existing
timetables will be allowed.
The following fundamental modules are relevant:
? SLK 110, FSG 251, 252

Practical/clinical/internship information
i. The curriculum includes compulsory practical and clinical training modules, comprising a percentage of the
total credits required for the successful completion of the programme.
ii. Students will be registered as student nurses at an approved teaching hospital (or hospitals) for the duration
of their studies.
iii. Students will be required to visit clinics outside of the hospital as well as institutions where health services
are provided.
iv. Clinical training will take place for the duration of studies at the facilities mentioned above.
v. Students will be required to sign a contract of service with the approved teaching hospital (or hospitals) in
question – information will be made available after successful application for admission.

Certain hospitals and healthcare facilities have been approved for the purposes of practical and clinical training
in Fundamental Nursing Science, General Nursing Science, Psychiatric Nursing Science, Community Nursing
Science and Midwifery.

Pass with distinction

The BNurs degree is conferred with distinction on a student who has obtained an average of at least 75% (not
rounded) in the final-year modules.

General information
University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-
Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are
legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher
Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications
Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications
and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP
qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to
contact their faculties if they have any questions.

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 21:05:53 19/04/2024 | Page 7 of 11

Curriculum: Year 1
Minimum credits: 122

Fundamental modules
Academic information management 111 (AIM 111) - Credits: 4.00
Academic information management 121 (AIM 121) - Credits: 4.00
Introduction to anatomy 151 (ANA 151) - Credits: 6.00
Anatomy of the limbs 152 (ANA 152) - Credits: 6.00
Anatomy of the torso 161 (ANA 161) - Credits: 6.00
Anatomy of the head and neck 162 (ANA 162) - Credits: 6.00
Academic English for Health Sciences (BNurs, BDietetics, BOH, BOT, BRad and BPhysio) 121 (ELH 121) - Credits:
6.00
Academic English for Health Sciences122 (ELH 122) - Credits: 6.00
Physiology 161 (FSG 161) - Credits: 6.00
Physiology 162 (FSG 162) - Credits: 6.00
Medical terminology 180 (MTL 180) - Credits: 8.00
Sepedi for beginners 119 (SEP 119) - Credits: 12.00
Academic orientation 110 (UPO 110) - Credits: 0.00
isiZulu for beginners 119 (ZUL 119) - Credits: 12.00

Core modules
Integrated healthcare leadership 112 (IHL 112) - Credits: 6.00
Integrated healthcare leadership 120 (IHL 120) - Credits: 8.00
Nursing practice education 110 (NPE 110) - Credits: 12.00
Nursing practice education 120 (NPE 120) - Credits: 12.00
Nursing studies 110 (NUR 110) - Credits: 5.00
Nursing studies 120 (NUR 120) - Credits: 3.00

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 21:05:53 19/04/2024 | Page 8 of 11

Curriculum: Year 2
Minimum credits: 124

Fundamental modules
Physiology 251 (FSG 251) - Credits: 6.00
Physiology 252 (FSG 252) - Credits: 6.00
Medical microbiology 252 (GMB 252) - Credits: 6.00
Medical microbiology 253 (GMB 253) - Credits: 6.00
Medical microbiology 254 (GMB 254) - Credits: 6.00
Psychology 110 (SLK 110) - Credits: 12.00
Psychology 120 (SLK 120) - Credits: 12.00

Core modules
Integrated healthcare leadership 210 (IHL 210) - Credits: 8.00
Integrated healthcare leadership 222 (IHL 222) - Credits: 8.00
Nursing practice education 210 (NPE 210) - Credits: 20.00
Nursing practice education 220 (NPE 220) - Credits: 20.00
Nursing studies 210 (NUR 210) - Credits: 6.00
Nursing studies 220 (NUR 220) - Credits: 8.00

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 21:05:53 19/04/2024 | Page 9 of 11

Curriculum: Year 3
Minimum credits: 148

Fundamental modules
Pharmacology 381 (FAR 381) - Credits: 18.00
Pharmacology 382 (FAR 382) - Credits: 18.00

Core modules
Integrated healthcare leadership 310 (IHL 310) - Credits: 8.00
Integrated healthcare leadership 322 (IHL 322) - Credits: 4.00
Midwifery: Theory 310 (MDW 310) - Credits: 8.00
Midwifery: Practical 311 (MDW 311) - Credits: 20.00
Midwifery: Theory 320 (MDW 320) - Credits: 8.00
Midwifery: Practical 321 (MDW 321) - Credits: 20.00
Nursing practice education 310 (NPE 310) - Credits: 3.00
Nursing practice education 320 (NPE 320) - Credits: 3.00
Nursing studies 310 (NUR 310) - Credits: 4.00
Nursing studies 320 (NUR 320) - Credits: 4.00
Research methodology for healthcare sciences 300 (RHC 300) - Credits: 30.00

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 21:05:53 19/04/2024 | Page 10 of 11

Curriculum: Final year
Minimum credits: 144

Core modules
Integrated healthcare leadership 412 (IHL 412) - Credits: 10.00
Integrated healthcare leadership 422 (IHL 422) - Credits: 10.00
Midwifery: theory 410 (MDW 410) - Credits: 12.00
Midwifery: practical 411 (MDW 411) - Credits: 22.00
Midwifery: theory 420 (MDW 420) - Credits: 12.00
Midwifery: practical 421 (MDW 421) - Credits: 22.00
Nursing practice education 410 (NPE 410) - Credits: 15.00
Nursing practice education 420 (NPE 420) - Credits: 15.00
Nursing studies 410 (NUR 410) - Credits: 8.00
Nursing studies 420 (NUR 420) - Credits: 8.00
Research in healthcare sciences 400 (RHC 400) - Credits: 10.00

Regulations and rules

The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended
after the publication of this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and
registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of
a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the
responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations
applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific
regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these
regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of
the aforementioned regulations.

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project

The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-
Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are
legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher
Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications
Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications
and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP
qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to
contact their faculties if they have any questions.

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 21:05:53 19/04/2024 | Page 11 of 11